Massive fire erupts in Glenn Dale

GLENN DALE – A four-alarm fire occurred on May 2 and destroyed seven townhouses that were under construction along with construction equipment, several propane tanks and caused a massive brush fire in Glenn Dale.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., units from Prince George's County Fire Department responded to the Glenn Dale Crossing townhouse complex on the 10100 block of Dorsey Road just off Greenbelt Road for a building fire.

The fire prompted support from units throughout the county as well as units from Montgomery and Howard County Fire Department to help battle the massive blaze.

"The fire appeared to begin at a four-story condo building under construction and then spread to another row of townhomes also under construction," said Prince George's County Fire Department spokesperson Mark Brady. It also caused a large brush fire adjacent to the townhouse on fire."

Before firefighters arrived on the scene, several construction workers were trapped in one of the burning townhouses, but with help from other workers, they were able to get

The bulk of the fire was extinguished shortly before 2 p.m. There was some damage to the occupied townhouses resulting in residents being displaced.out safely.

The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental, and the estimated fire loss is $8.9 million. Flying embers from the fire caused a large brush fire adjacent to the buildings that were set ablaze resulting in several special alarms being sounded for special brush units from Charles and Calvert County to help battle the brush fire.